Coming from a chaotic and abusive household–where his mother would abuse him both physically and mentally–Kenneth had few resources.

Though he suffered from depression that dated back to his childhood, Kenneth was still able to get his Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) degree and worked as a nurse for five years at a hospital in Virginia. It was during this time that Kenneth first pulled his back while lifting a patient at work. Shortly thereafter, he lost his job. After this, Kenneth’s depression grew as he went from working as a nurse, to becoming a construction worker, to working maintenance at a fast food restaurant, to eventually becoming unemployed and homeless.

After 25 years helping people with HIV battle heartless bureaucrats, we’ve spent so much time pulling our hair that we’re all nearly bald. At least metaphorically. And this week we’ve been ripping at our follicles anew. Our client Robert is trying to get his federal student loan discharged because he is permanently disabled. In fact, he’s been receiving Social Security disability benefits for about a decade. He’s got host of medical problems that severely limit his ability to function, as his doctor detailed on the official government form used to request a disability-based student loan discharge. We’ll call the doctor’s description Exhibit A: Exhibit A Pulmonary fibrosis … severe hypoxia … 24-hour oxygen support … AIDS … insulin-dependent diabetes … severe sleep apnea. So of course you’re thinking, “Sallie Mae must have approved his request lickety split.” Clearly you...

Normally we’re not ones to name-drop, but how often do we get to hobnob with a true pop music icon — and one who really knows how to let her freak flag fly? That’s right, we’re talking about Cyndi Lauper. And technically we haven’t hobnobbed with her yet. But our people have been in communication with her people, and big things are in the works. And why do you care that Cyndi Lauper loves us? Because we’ve arranged for you to rub elbows with Cyndi Lauper herself. She’s opening her new musical, Kinky Boots, right here in Chicago, and the groovy folks at Broadway in Chicago made some special tickets available to us. And if you buy a ticket, you not only support our work — you get an invitation to a private cocktail swanky-danky reception with Ms. Lauper. The big...

By now you’ve probably read a few new stories, several blog posts, many Facebook rants and a bazillion Twitter tweets about the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act. We’re not going to add to the blogo-spew. We’re just going to point you to a nifty little online tool that the Washington Post devised to help you figure how the Act might affect your personal decisions regarding your future health insurance. You just answer a few questions anonymously — Do you have health insurance? How many people are in your household? — and out pops a useful little explanation of how your options now compare to your options in 2014 (when the Affordable Care Act goes fully into effect). Pretty nifty, we think. Just click here and try it for...